In Layman's Terms

Steve Layman visits with Belmont men's basketball guard Nic McClain. The pair discuss McClain's circuitous route to Belmont, from rural north Florida to junior college to Eastern Washington and ultimately the Belmont campus. McClain shares stories of growing up, lessons learned, patience through adversity, and his excitement level for the 2025-26 season. Layman sparks conversation on how McClain stays connected with his old...

Steve Layman visits with Belmont sport administration professor of practice Erin Ryder. The pair discuss Ryder's life journey, from her story as a championship field hockey student-athlete to a career in television and film. Ryder shares personal stories about being opportunistic and grateful for her career trajectory, which includes credits for NBC Olympics, ESPN, and her role in helping launch Thursday Night Football on Amazo...

Steve Layman visits with Belmont senior associate athletic director/SWA Renee Schultz. The pair discuss Schultz's journey from the pacific northwest to Belmont as a women's soccer student-athlete and how Belmont has become her professional life calling. Schultz shares about personal connection to student-athletes and community members, her excitement level for the coming academic year, and reflects upon Bruin achievements i...

Steve Layman visits with Belmont starting pitcher and newest member of the Detroit Tigers' organization, Joe Ruzicka. The pair discuss Ruzicka's preparation and emotions leading into this year's MLB Entry Draft and living out a childhood dream. Ruzicka shares about overcoming adversity and locking in to emerge as the 2025 MVC Pitcher of the Year. Ruzicka provides revealing thoughts his own personal growth under Dave Jar...

Steve Layman visits with Belmont softball head coach Laura Matthews. The pair discuss Belmont's highly-successful regular season, which included marquee victories over Arizona State, Purdue and Maryland (x2). Matthews shares about how she managed expectations, approached scheduling, and navigated adversity, in large part due to leadership from her Bruin upperclassmen. Matthews provides revealing thoughts about the transformatio...

Steve Layman visits with Delta Dental of Tennessee Senior Vice President, Brand Experience Missy Acosta to celebrate the longstanding partnership between Belmont Athletics and Delta Dental of Tennessee. Layman and Acosta discuss the importance of wearing mouthguards during sport competition as Delta Dental is a leading advocate for Youth Sports Safety Month during April. Acosta praised Belmont coaches, such as Casey Alexander and B...

Steve Layman visits with Belmont women's basketball head coach Bart Brooks. The pair reflect upon Belmont's historic run to the WBIT championship game, its unforgettable comeback victory over Northern Arizona, memories of competing in Hinkle Fieldhouse, and representing Belmont on a national stage on ESPN. Brooks shares his general coaching philosophies, and how this year's team - and senior class - holds a special plac...

Steve Layman visits with Boston Globe sports editor emeritus Joe Sullivan and Belmont associate athletic director and broadcast color analyst Greg Sage for a roundtable discussion of Missouri Valley Conference men's basketball. The three provide an overview of the conference regularseason, including insider perspective on how the Belmont Bruins have navigated the season and blended newcomers and returning players to earn a 15th...

Steve Layman sits down with Belmont Baseball head coach Dave Jarvis for a wide-ranging conversation. The pair preview the upcoming Bruin baseball season, Jarvis' optimism on pitching and leadership, and the benefits of playing in a proven, nationally-regarded conference like the Missouri Valley Conference. They delve into enhancements to E.S. Rose Park - including an indoor training facility and new scoreboard - and the ability...

Steve Layman sits down with Bruin Club Executive Director Russell Grimm for a holiday-themed edition of the podcast. The pair open with reflections from Belmont's victory at Richmond, which served as this year's athletic donor trip. A record-number of Belmont supporters attended, and Grimm shared his perspective in executing the trip from conception to reality. Grimm also sheds light about how previous professional experiences at M...

Steve Layman sits down with CBS Sports & ESPN game analyst/reporter Kelly Burke for a compelling conversation on the state of college athletics and the rise of NCAA women's basketball. Burke shares her personal journey from a student-athlete at Arizona State University, to local news, and ultimately, network game coverage. The pair share insights on Belmont and the Missouri Valley Conference in a rapidly changing landscape, a s...

Steve Layman sits down with Belmont Vice President/Director of Athletics Scott Corley for an engaging conversation on the eve of college basketball season. The pair discuss the state of college athletics, how the preliminary approval of the House case impacts all NCAA Division I institutions, including Belmont, and other front-of-mind issues including revenue sharing, conference affiliation and the shift to roster limits from schol...

Steve Layman visits with Belmont men's basketball legend Grayson Murphy for an update on his professional playing career and reflections on his journey at Belmont. The pair discuss his experiences as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers' NBA Summer League team, including playing with Bronny James and Dalton Knecht. Murphy shares about his path to Belmont, how playing for Coach Byrd and Coach Alexander prepared him for profess...

Steve Layman sits down with Missouri Valley Conference Commissioner Jeff Jackson for a lively and revealing conversation about the state of college athletics. The pair discuss present opportunities and challenges in the current landscape, including the House case, the proposed revenue-sharing model, NIL, transfer portal, and conference realignment. Jackson shares how the Missouri Valley Conference's history, tradition and track...

Steve Layman visits with Belmont Softball standout pitcher Maya Johnson, for a revealing conversation about her unique journey to Nashville. The pair discuss Johnson's childhood in her native Ohio, an early love of kickboxing, her competitive nature, how and when she turned to softball, and ultimately developed into one of the most accomplished pitchers in college softball. Johnson also shared personal stories of her own health...

Steve Layman chats with Indiana Pacers/Indiana Fever beat writer Scott Agness for a compelling conversation about a variety of topics impacting basketball. The pair discuss Belmont legend Ben Sheppard and his rise in the NBA. How Sheppard expressed his Pacer teammates, coaches and front office with his optimism, work ethic and team-first approach. And how the wing earned a major role in the Pacers' NBA playoff run. Agness also ...

Steve Layman sits down with Belmont University President Dr. Greg Jones for an engaging, and wide-ranging conversation. The pair discuss Belmont legend Ben Sheppard and his rise in the NBA, embracing exciting partnerships and initiatives on campus, and staying rooted in Belmont's 'North Star' of Jesus Christ. Jones delves into his love of sport, his admiration for Belmont student-athletes and coaches and his relationshi...

Steve Layman visits with Montana State assistant director of media and Belmont MSA alumnus Noah Syverson. The two discuss Syverson's upbringing as the son of a coach, his connections to Nashville, Georgia and Montana, and his personal journey from Berry College to Belmont and beyond. Syverson also shares about his enriching educational and professional experiences in the Belmont MSA program, the unique circumstances that led hi...

Steve Layman visits with Boston Globe sports editor emeritus and NashvilleHoops.blog creator Joe Sullivan for an in-depth conversation on Championship Week and the state of college basketball. The pair discuss Belmont men's basketball, preview the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament and share their thoughts on MVC all-conference awards with both serving on the voting panel. Sullivan also speaks to proposed NCAA Tournament exp...